Health and Care Visa Updates 2024

The Health and Care Visa stands as a pivotal route for healthcare practitioners worldwide seeking to engage in the UK healthcare and social care domain.

Within this comprehensive manual, we explore the fundamental aspects of the Health and Care Worker Visa, shedding light on the latest revisions, eligibility prerequisites, and impending alterations set for implementation in Spring 2024.

Health and Care Visa

Tailored for qualified professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and social care providers, the Health and Care Visa offers a streamlined pathway for entry into the UK. Eligible candidates must secure a job offer from an accredited sponsor within designated Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes, covering various critical roles within the healthcare sector, encompassing medical practitioners, nurses, and social workers.

Notable Changes

• It is crucial to highlight a significant alteration set to take effect in Spring 2024. From 11 March 2024, care workers (SOC 6145) and senior care workers (SOC 6146) under the Health and Care Visa will not be able to bring dependants as part of their visa application. This transition signifies a departure from previous regulations, underscoring the importance for prospective applicants to remain abreast of these modifications.
• Only providers registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England will have the authorisation to sponsor applicants for the Health and Care Visa.
• The standard salary threshold is set to rise to £29,000, or £23,200 for positions governed by the national pay scales, where applicable.

Typically, the Health and Care Visa application undergoes prioritised processing by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), yielding expedited decisions within an approximate span of three weeks. Nonetheless, delays may arise, underscoring the significance of staying informed on prevailing processing times.
The Health and Care Visa persists as a vital conduit for healthcare professionals to contribute to the UK healthcare sector. With impending changes set for Spring 2024, it is imperative to remain informed and seek expert guidance.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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